"We see the unfortunate consequences of patients suffering from chronic pain and how it severely impacts their quality of life. I know we can and will do better for our patients."

Another primary goal of the Comprehensive Pain Center is addressing the overuse of opioids — prescription pain killers such as fentanyl and OxyContin.

"A host of complications are related to theses classes of medications. They can create other side effects such as increased falls, depression, sexual dysfunction and severe constipation. There are may be a role for continuing opioids in some patients (at the new center), but we're hoping to use other interventions when possible and appropriate."

"Psychology plays a large part on top of what the patient is going through physically. It's almost impossible for a person dealing with chronic pain to avoid some level of depression."

"Sometimes something relatively simple makes a difference," he says. "There was a woman with back pain and the first thing her husband asked every morning was how she felt. It came from good intentions, but unbeknownst to him it put more attention on the pain. Instead he learned to kiss her on the forehead as a way of showing he cared."